Late equalizer secures a debut point
Jordan Stewart's 88th-minute header earned Glentoran a point at Coleraine on October 30, 2026, after Joel Cooper had put the hosts ahead. According to BBC Sport, a defeat would have left Glentoran about 17 points behind the Irish Premiership leaders before October was over; the draw prevented that gap from widening further.
Ferguson had been due to make his debut at home against Ballymena United, but a waterlogged pitch at the Oval forced that game to be postponed. Before eventually taking charge at Coleraine, he watched their 5-0 victory over Crusaders at Seaview and attended a Glentoran Under-20s game at Dungannon Swifts.
A new manager and a 17-year title wait
Glentoran named Ferguson as manager on October 19, 2026, giving him a multi-year contract. He replaced Declan Devine, whose departure by mutual consent came in September. Gary Bollan, a former Dundee United teammate of Ferguson's, joined as assistant manager.
The club's last Irish League championship came in 2009. That 17-year wait has continued despite owner Ali Pour's significant investment and Glentoran's move to a full-time professional model in recent years.
Ferguson's return to management
Before arriving at Glentoran, Ferguson had held permanent managerial jobs at Forest Green Rovers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. His Forest Green side won only once in 18 games under him in 2023 and was relegated from League One. Inverness dismissed him in October 2024 after entering administration, and he had not managed another club since.
BBC Sport NI ranks Ferguson's appointment among the biggest arrivals in Irish League history. Other prominent names have had differing records: David Healy has led Linfield to six league titles since becoming manager in 2015, while former Rangers striker Nacho Novo scored only four goals during his single season with Glentoran in 2016.
